Veteran

Posts: 349
From:Arkansas
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-13-2003 10:49 PM            

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Does anyone else experience this?

When I have to cough really hard, I get incredible, bone jarring pain down both my arms. It is horrendous.
I have been coughing more, because I have had my stomach surgically wrapped around my espophagus 3 years ago, due to reflux dropping into my lungs. Now I am all of the sudden having difficulty swallowing again (even liquids) and had a coke dumped in my lung.

I'm wondering if my swallowing probs could be from the nerve compression. I probably need my esophagus dilated, but if I have the ACDF, it wouldn't do any good, because of the swelling the surgery will cause. Also, did I ever mention that I am unable to throw up, because of my stomach surgery? That worries me too. Hope they will give me lots of Zofran or Phenergan to keep my tummy happy.

Thanks for listening.

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God bless,

Lea

C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD

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Senior Member

Posts: 100
From:Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-13-2003 11:14 PM            

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Hi Lea, when I cough, laugh or sneeze, I get a stabbing and burning pain across the front of my upper left breast, in the back down my left shoulder blade and pain down my left arm. My fingers on my left hand burn and tingle. Sometimes, I get this electric jolt- like feeling on the left-side of my head and face when I turn my head to the side too quickly. I've had a headache from you know where for at least a month now with occassional blurred vision. I'm really starting to get scared. I'm seeing a neurologist on 4/22 or sooner if he has any cancellations.

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C3-C6 straightening of normal cervical curvature.
C2-T1 mild central spondylosis without significant stenosis.
C3-C4 broad-based spondylosis and bulging with mild to moderate flattening of the anterior epidural space.
C4-C5 broad-based spondylosis and bulging eccentric to the left with mild to moderate compression upon the anterior epidural space.
C5-C6 spondylosis with a broad-based protrusion with moderate compression of the anterior epidural space.
C6-C7 mild central spondylosis and a small midline protrusion with minimal flattening of the anterior epidural space.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 810
From:Middletown, MD
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 04-13-2003 11:21 PM            

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Don't know Lea, except to advise you not to have anything that even resembles "gas" for surgery. Being put out with injection is always pretty much a guarantee you won't get your stomach upset. Most insurance companies are the problem, since it's more expensive...
Debbie

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Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 649
From:australia
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 04-14-2003 10:00 AM            

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Hi Lea,

The coughing may put more pressure on the nerve and that would then explain the pain down the arms as the nerve gets more compressed. I get that arm/chest pain from coughing. After your surgery maybe the pressure off the nerve will be gone so it will be less painfull in that area.
Maybe not being able to throw up is a good thing. Yet I guess you still feel the nausea though. Are any of your meds making you feel sick? Hope you feel better.
Mel

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Veteran

Posts: 349
From:Arkansas
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-15-2003 12:44 AM            

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JB,Deb and Mel,

Thanks for the replies. I thought I was going to die the other day when that happened.

Deb- I can't do the "gas" it makes me too agitated and panicky, so they always do the IV sedation when I have surgery. I make sure I have something good on board before I go to the OR. Most of the time, I don't even remember getting on the table.

Mel,
Yeah, still get nauseated and still "try" to throw up, but it is very painful. My meds do make me nauseated, but my gastroparesis also make my nauseated. I have done so well after my stomach surgery, that I am looking forward to the ACDF, because I know the quality of my life will be restored.

Had horrible pain tonite at work. My NS called in some Darvocet, which took the edge off.

JB,

I hope they find out something soon for you. I know it is frustrating. Just remain determined.

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God bless,

Lea

C4-5 noncompressive disc displacement
C5-6 compressive disc displacement
C6-7 broad based disc protrusion encroaching on the anterioposterior aspect of the spinal canal.
DDD

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 649
From:australia
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 04-15-2003 12:17 PM            

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Hi Lea,
Was just thinking, can they give you shots of maxillon or stemetel. I had a discogram the other day and was throwing up so much (but couldn't as I'd had no food or liquids)they gave me a maxillon shot which helped. Hope your feeling a bit better.
Mel

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